updated 01:55 pm EDT, Wed October 12, 2011

Apple TV gets own quiet update

(Update: final feature list) Apple along with its iOS 5 and Mac OS X 10.7.2 updates has slipped out a corresponding update to the Apple TV. Its 4.4 update doesn't yet have a full feature list but is known from beta testing to share its roots with iOS 5. Support is expected for iCloud features like Photo Stream.

We plan a full update if there are visible updates in the new firmware, which is available only by checking from the Apple TV itself.

Update: The upgrade is a significant boost to the Apple TV and adds not just iOS 5 features like AirPlay Mirroring and Photo Stream but specific new apps. Sports fans now have an NHL app that lets them watch live games and on-demand highlights while checking scores. WSJ Live is also new and lets users watch the same news, opinions, and other clips as on the mobile app.

Movie trailers now have a significantly reworked app to improve discovery over the old version.

Bring Back FrontRow!!!

I'm surprised how much we used Front Row ... I would know why they wouldn't build that interface onto iTunes as it's 99% there already? And with photo/video convergeance, I don't know how they keep iTunes and iPhoto separate.

Roku 2

We have an Apple TV 2 and now use it just to stream music and videos plus the occasional video rental. Once Apple removed the TV rental option we lost one of the main reasons for owning our Apple TV 2. Sorry, I don't want to pay $2 to watch a 30 minute sitcom, nor do I want to keep it forever. $1 to rent was fine.

So we bought a Roku 2 and use it for Netflix, Crunchy Roll, Crackle and Hulu Plus. Why the Roku for Netflix? Because about three months ago our Apple TV has been temperamental about playing Netflix even though our phones and computers do it without problems.

I really hope Apple steps up and improves the Apple TV. They could start with support for the wireless Apple keyboard and trackpad. Add in the features that Roku and other TV boxes support and the Apple TV would again be our "go to" device.